Methods, devices, and computer program products for exchanging interactive map information

ABSTRACT

Map information is exchanged between communication devices. A map of a geographical area is received. The map includes embedded interactive links that graphically represent points of interest within the geographical area. An embedded interactive link that graphically represents at least one point of interest is highlighted within the map. Responsive to selection of another embedded interactive link within the map that graphically represents another point of interest within the geographical area, the other embedded link within the map is highlighted. The map is transmitted, with the other embedded interactive link that graphically represents the other point of interest highlighted.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to telecommunications, and,more particularly, to exchanging map information between communicationdevices.

BACKGROUND

Cell phones and other communication devices are being deployed thatprovide map information. Currently, users can look up businessnesses oraddresses using a mobile communication device and be presented with amap and/or directions. Users may share such maps and directions witheach other via their communication devices.

However, maps currently exchanged in such a manner are static in thesense that they do not permit users to alter the maps and exchange thealtered maps. Also, current maps are limited in the information theyinclude.

SUMMARY

It should be appreciated that this Summary is provided to introduce aselection of concepts in a simplified form, the concepts being furtherdescribed below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is notintended to identify key features or essential features of thisdisclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the invention.

According to one embodiment, a method is provided for exchanging mapinformation between a first communication device and at least a secondcommunication device. A map of a geographical area is received at thesecond communication device from the first communication device. The mapincludes embedded interactive links that graphically represent points ofinterest within the geographical area. An embedded interactive link thatgraphically represents at least one point of interest is highlightedwithin the map. Responsive to selection of another embedded interactivelink within the map that graphically represents another point ofinterest within the geographical area, the other embedded link withinthe map is highlighted. The map is transmitted from the secondcommunication device to the first communication device, with the otherembedded interactive link that graphically represents the other point ofinterest highlighted.

According to another embodiment a device for exchanging map informationincludes an interface for receiving a map of a geographical area. Themap includes embedded interactive links that graphically representpoints of interest within the geographical area. An embedded interactivelink that graphically represents at least one point of interest ishighlighted within the map. The map further includes a processor forhighlighting another embedded interactive link within the map thatgraphically represents another point of interest within the geographicarea responsive to selection of the other embedded interactive linkwithin the map. The map is transmitted, via the interface, with theother embedded interactive link that graphically represents the otherpoint of interest highlighted.

According to another embodiment, a non-transitory computer programproduct includes a storage medium upon which instructions are recordedthat, when executed by a processor, perform a method for exchanging mapinformation. The method includes receiving a map of a geographical area.The map includes embedded interactive links that graphically representpoints of interest within the geographical area. An interactive linkthat graphically represents at least one point of interest ishighlighted within the map. The method further includes highlightinganother embedded link within the map that graphically represents anotherpoint of interest within the geographic area responsive to selection ofthe other embedded interactive link within the map. The map istransmitted, with the other embedded interactive link that graphicallyrepresents the other point of interest highlighted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system for exchanging interactive map informationaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a device for exchanging interactive map informationaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate exemplary interactive maps, including points ofinterest highlighted, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate methods for exchanging interactive mapinformation according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary block diagram of a device for providing a map ofa geographical area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein. It must beunderstood that the embodiments described and illustrated are merelyexamples that may be embodied in various and alternative forms, andcombinations thereof. As used herein, the word “exemplary” is usedexpansively to refer to embodiments that serve as examples orillustrations. The figures are not necessarily to scale and somefeatures may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particularcomponents. Specific structural and functional details disclosed hereinare not to be interpreted as limiting.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system for exchanging interactive mapinformation according to an exemplary embodiment. In the system shown inFIG. 1, communication devices 110A, 110B, and 110C communicate withdevices, e.g., GPS satellites, 105A, 105B, and 105C, respectively, toobtain location information. It should be appreciated that otherlocation systems may be used to provide location information thecommunication devices, such as cellular triangulation systems and thelike.

According to an exemplary embodiment, one or more of the communicationdevices 110A, 110B, and 110C communicate location information indicatinglocation information to a map server 130 via a network 120. The locationinformation may indicate a current location of a communication device ata given time. Alternatively, the location information may indicate anyother location selected by a communication device, e.g., a locationabout which a user of a communication device desires information.

The map server 130, in turn, provides a map with embedded linksgraphically representing points of interest within the geographical areaof the location indicated by one or more of the devices requesting themap. Once a map is obtained from the map server 130, the communicationdevices 110A, 110B, and 110C exchange map information with each othervia the network 120, interactively highlighting embedded links to pointsof interest within the map, removing highlight from links within themap, generating routes to various points of interest, embedding linksadditional points of interests and including routes to such pointswithin the map, etc. In this manner, the users of the communicationdevices 110A, 110B, and 110C may exchange interactive information forplanning a trip, scheduling a meeting, etc.

The communication devices 110A, 110B, and 110C may be implemented withmobile communication devices, such as the device 110 described in detailbelow with reference to FIG. 2. Alternatively, one or more of thecommunication devices 110A, 110B, and 110C may be implemented with apersonal computing device. Although three communication devices 110A,110B, and 110C are shown in FIG. 1 for illustrative purposes, it shouldbe appreciated that any number of communication devices may exchangeinteractive map information in the manner set forth in this disclosure.Moreover, although three GPS satellites 105A, 105B, and 105C areillustrated, any number of location devices may be used.

The map server 130 may be implemented with a device such as the device500 described in further detail below with reference to FIG. 5. Thenetwork 120 may be implemented with one or more wireless networks thatuse exemplary telecommunications standards, such as Global System forMobile communications (GSM) and Universal Mobile TelecommunicationsSystems (UMTS). It should be understood, however, that the embodimentsmay be implemented in wireless networks that use any existing or yet tobe developed telecommunications technology. Some examples of othersuitable telecommunication technologies include, but are not limited to,networks utilizing Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), FrequencyDivision Multiple Access (FDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access(WCDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), Long TermEvolution (LTE), and various other 2G, 2.5G, 3G, 4G, and gratergeneration technologies. Examples of suitable data bearers include, butare not limited to General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Datarates for Global Evolution (EDGE), the High-Speed Packet Access (HSDPA)protocol family, such as High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA),Enhanced Uplink (EUL) or otherwise termed High-Speed Uplink PacketAccess (HSUPA), Evolved HSPA (HSPA+) and various other current andfuture data bearers.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an exemplary device 110according to exemplary embodiments. Although no connections are shownbetween the components illustrated in FIG. 2, those skilled in the artwill appreciate that the components can interact with each other via anysuitable connections to carry out device functions.

It should be understood that FIG. 2 and the following description areintended to provide a brief, general description of a suitableenvironment in which the various aspect of some embodiments of thepresent disclosure can be implemented. While the description includes ageneral context of computer-executable instructions, the presentdisclosure can also be implemented in combination with other programmodules and/or as a combination of hardware and software. The term“application”, or variants thereof, s used expansively herein to includeroutines, program modules, program, components, data structures,algorithms, and the like. Applications can be implemented on varioussystem configurations, including single-processor or multiprocessorsystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, personal computers,handheld-computing devices, microprocessor-based, programmable consumerelectronics, combinations thereof, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 2, a device 110 may be a multimode handset and caninclude a variety of computer-readable media, including volatile media,non-volatile media, removable media, and non-removable media. The term“computer-readable media” and variants thereof, as used in thespecification and claims, can include storage media. Storage media caninclude volatile and/or non-volatile, removable and/or non-removablemedia, such as, for example, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or othermemory technology, CDROM, DVD, or other optical disk storage, magnetictape, magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices or anyother medium that can be used to store information that can be accessedby the device 110.

The device 110 may include a display 200 for displaying multimedia, suchas, for example, text, images, video, telephone functions, such asCaller ID data, setup functions, menus, music metadata, messages,wallpaper, graphics, Internet content, device status, preferencesettings, and the like.

According to exemplary embodiment, the display 200 may displayinteractive maps with embedded links graphically representing points ofinterest. One or more of the embedded links may be highlighted uponselection by a user. The display may also show one or more routes to oneor more selected points of interest, and a selected route may behighlighted. The display 200 may be an interactive touch screen or ascreen that may be manipulated with a cursor, e.g., for selecting linksof interested embedded within a map. The display 200 may also displayinformation related to the interactive map, e.g., directions to selectedpoints of interest from a starting location within the geographical arearepresented by the map.

The device 110 may include a processor 202 for controlling and/orprocessing data. A memory 204 can interface with the processor 202 forthe storage of data and/or applications 206.

The applications 206 may include, for example, SMS messaging software,EMS message software, MMS messaging software, USSD software, a WAPbrowser, and the like.

Also, according to an exemplary embodiment, the applications 206 mayinclude an interactive map application 207 for use in highlightingpoints of interest in a map responsive to selection of points ofinterest in the map, generating routes to points of interest from aparticular location and including the routes in the map, highlightingthe generated routes, determining whether favorite points of interestare included in the map and embedding links to favorite points ofinterest in the map as appropriate, generating routes to the favoritepoints of interest and including the routes to the favorite points ofinterest in the map, highlighting the embedded links to the favoritepoints of interest and the respective routes, etc.

The applications 206 may also include a user interface (UI) application208. The UI application 208 can interact with a client 210 (e.g., anoperating system) to facilitate user interaction with devicefunctionality and data, for example, entering message content, viewingreceived messages, answering/initiating calls, entering/deleting data,password entry and settings, configuring settings, address bookmanipulation, and the like. Such user interaction may be facilitatedvia, e.g., a keypad or a touchscreen included in the device 110 orcommunicating with the device via the I/O interface 224. Also, accordingto exemplary embodiments, the UI application 208 can be used forinteracting with a map displayed on the display 200, e.g., to selectembedded links to points of interest. For example, for a map representedin a JPEG format, a link and/or a route may be highlighted by turning abit corresponding to a selected area within the display on, andhighlighting may be removed by turning the bit off.

The applications 206 may include other applications 212, such as, forexample, add-ons, plug-ins, email applications, music application, videoapplications, camera applications, location-based service (LSB)applications, power conservation applications, game applications,productivity application, entertainment applications, combinationsthereof, and the like, as well as subsystem and/or components.

The applications 206 can be stored in the memory and/or in firmwarecomponents 214 and can be executed by the processor 202. The firmware214 can also store code for execution during initialization of thedevice 110.

A communications component 216 may interface with the processor 202 tofacilitate wired/wireless communication with external systems including,for example, cellular networks, location systems, VoIP networks, localarea networks (LAN's), wide area networks (WAN's), metropolitan arenetworks (MAN's), personal area networks (PAN's), and other networks,which may be implemented using WIFI, WIMAX, combinations andimprovements thereof, and the like. The communications component 216 canalso include a multimode communication subsystem for providing cellularcommunications via different cellular technologies. For example, a firstcellular transceiver 218 can operate in one mode, for example, GSM, andan Nth transceiver 220 can operate in a different mode, for exampleUMTS. While only two transceivers 218, 220 are illustrated, it should beappreciated that a plurality of transceivers may be included. Thecommunications component 216 may also include a transceiver 222 forother communication technologies, such as, for example, WIFI, WIMAX,BLUETOOTH, infrared, IRDA, NFC, RF, and the like. The communicationscomponents 216 may also facilitate reception from terrestrial radionetworks, digital satellite radio networks, Internet based radio servicenetworks, combinations thereof, and the like. The communicationscomponent 216 can process data from a network, such as, for example, thenetwork 120, the Internet, a corporate network, a home broadbandnetwork, a WIFI hotspot, and the like via an ISP, DSL provider, orbroadband provider. The communications component 216 can be used toreceive maps with embedded links and transmit maps with embedded linksfrom and to other communication devices via the network 120. Also, thecommunications component 216 may be used to receive a map from a mapserver 130 via the network, upon an initial query.

An input/output (I/O) interface 224 may be provided for input/output ofdata and/or signals. The I/O interface 224 may be a hardwire connection,such as, for example, a USB, mini-USB, audio jack, PS2, IEEE 1394,serial, parallel, Ethernet (RJ48), RJ11, and the like, and can acceptother I/O devices such as, for example, keyboards, keypads, mice,interface tethers, stylus pens, printers, thumb drives, touch screens,multi-touch screens, touch pads, trackballs, joysticks, microphones,remote control devices, monitors, displays and liquid crystal displays(LCDs), combination thereof, and the like. It should be appreciated thatthe I/O interface 224 can be used for communication between the deviceand a network or local device instead of, or in addition to, thecommunications component 216.

Audio capabilities may be provided by an audio I/O component 226 thatmay include a speaker for the output of audio signals and a microphoneto collect audio signals. The device 110 can include a slot interface228 for accommodating a subscriber identity system 230 such as, forexample, a subscriber identity module (SIM) or universal SIM (USIM). Thesubscriber identity system 230 instead can be manufactured into thedevice 110, thereby obviating the need for a slot interface 228. In someembodiments, the subscriber identity system 230 can store certainfeatures, user characteristics, rules, policies, models, contactinformation, and the like. The subscriber identity system 230 can beprogrammed by a manufacturer, a retailer, a user, a computer, a networkoperator, and the like.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the subscriber identity system 230may include favorite points of interest associated with variousgeographical areas. Alternatively, the favorite points of interest maybe stored in the memory 204. The favorite points of interest associatedwith a particular geographical area may be retrieved, e.g., by theinteractive map location 207 executed by the processor 202, when a mapof the particular geographical area is received. Links graphicallyrepresenting the favorite points of interest may be automaticallyembedded within the map, or the links may be embedded upon selectionand/or confirmation by a user via a suitable input, e.g., a touchscreenor a keyboard.

The device 110 can further include an image capture and processingsystem 232 (image system). Photos and/or videos can be obtained via anassociated image capture subsystem of the image system 232, for example,a camera. The device 110 may also included a video system 234 forcapturing, processing, recording, modifying, and or transmitting videocontent.

A location component 236 may be included to send and/or receive signalssuch as, for example, GPS data, A-GPS data, WIF/WIMAX and or cellularnetwork triangulation data, combinations thereof, and the like. Thelocation component 236 can interface with cellular network nodes,telephone lines, satellites, such as satellites 105A, 105B, and 105C,location transmitters and/or beacons, wireless network transmitters andreceivers, for example, WIFI hotspots, radio transmitters, combinationsthereof and the like. The device 110 may obtain, generate, and/orreceive data to identify its location or can transmit data used by otherdevices to determine the device 110 location. The location of the device110 can be provided to the map server 130 and used by the map server toprovide a map of the geographical area in which the device 110 islocated at a given time.

The device 110 may also include a power source 238, such as batteriesand/or other power subsystems (AC or DC). The power source 238 caninterface with an exemplary power system or charging equipment via apower I/O component 240.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate interactive map information exchanged betweencommunication devices according to an exemplary embodiment. Theinteractive map information may be used to plan a trip, set up ameeting, etc.

FIG. 3A illustrates an example of a map including embedded interactivelinks that may be displayed on a communication device. The map may beobtained from the map server 130 upon an initial query from acommunication device, e.g., the communication device 110A. The map,which may be displayed, e.g., on a display 200 of the communicationdevice 110A, may include several embedded links 310A, 310B, 310C, and310D that graphically represent points of interest within thegeographical area represented in the map. In this example, the points ofinterest represented by the links 310A, 310B, 310C, and 310D include agas station, a grocery store, a doughnut shop, and a coffee shop,respectively. One or more of the embedded links, e.g., link 310D, may behighlighted upon selection by a user. The user may select the link tohighlight via a touchscreen display or another suitable input on thecommunication device 110A. A starting location, e.g., a work location,may also be represented on the map by an embedded link 320. The startinglocation may be selected by the user of the communication device via thetouchscreen display or other suitable input. Upon selection of the link320 and the link 310D by a user, a graphically represented route 330Afrom the selected start location to the selected location of interestmay be generated and included in the map. The route 330A may behighlighted, along with the link 310D. Directions from the selectedstart location may also be generated and displayed, e.g., as text 340,adjacent to the map.

Upon receipt of a map such as that shown in FIG. 3A from a device, suchas communication device 110A, another communication device, such ascommunication device 110B, may alter the map as shown in FIG. 3B.Referring to FIG. 3B, the map includes the embedded links 310A, 310B,310C, and 310D graphically representing the points of interests.However, the map shown in FIG. 3B reflects a selection by the user of adevice, e.g., the communication device 110B, of an embedded link 310C toan alternative point of interest. Upon selection of the link 310C, aroute 330B from the selected start location 320 is generated andincluded in the map. The highlighting may be removed from the link 310Dand the route 330A. Thus, the link 310C and the route 330B may behighlighted instead of the link 310D and the route 330A. However, thelink 310D and the route 330A may remain in the map, as shown in FIG. 3B.

FIG. 3C illustrates an example of the map shown in FIG. 3A, altered in adifferent manner by a user of a communication device, e.g., thecommunication device 110C. The map includes the embedded links 310A,310B, 310C, and 310D. However, in this map, an additional link 310Egraphically representing yet another point of interest, e.g., adifferent coffee shop, is embedded in the map. This additional link maybe generated based on a favorite points of interest stored thecommunication device 110C, e.g., in the memory 204 or in the subscriberidentity system 230. Upon selection of the link 310E via a suitableinput, a route 330C from the start location, represented by the link320, to the favorite point of interest, represented by the link 310E, isgenerated and included in the map. The highlighting may be removed fromthe link 310D and the route 330A, and the link 310E and the route 330Cmay be highlighted instead. However, the route 330A and the link 310Dmay remain in the map.

Instead of using the same start location 320, users of either of thecommunication devices 110B and 110C receiving the map from thecommunication device 110A may decide to use additional start locations.Thus, using the scenario depicted in FIG. 3C as an example, uponselection of the link 310E and a selection of the link 310A as a startlocation, another route 330D may be generated from the start locationrepresented by the link 310A to the favorite point of interest,represented by the link 310E. The route 330D may be highlighted andincluded in the map, along with the highlighted route 330C as shown inFIG. 3C. As an alternative, the start location represented by the link310E may be selected as alternate start location instead of the startlocation represented by the link 310A, such that only the route 330Dwould appear highlighted within the map. According to an exemplaryembodiment, if no other start location is selected, the originallyselected start location may be used as the default start location.

The map shown in FIG. 3A is an example of a map that may be transmittedfrom a communication device, e.g., device 110A, to one or more devices,e.g., devices 110B and 110C. This map may be transmitted to suggest ameeting place for users of the devices 110A, 110B, and 110C. The mapsshown in FIGS. 3B and 3C are examples of maps altered by devices, e.g.,devices 110B and 110C, respectively, that may be transmitted back to theoriginal device, e.g., device 110A, e.g., to suggest alternate meetingplaces. The devices 110A, 110B, and 110C may alter information includedin the maps and exchange the maps as desired, e.g., until a meetingplace is agreed upon.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate methods for exchanging interactive mapinformation according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 4A,an interactive map with an embedded point of interest link highlightedis received at step 410 at one or more communication devices, e.g.,devices 110B and 110C, from a communication device, e.g., communicationdevice 110A. The map with embedded links to points of interest may beobtained by the communication device 110A from the map server 130, and auser of the communication device 110A may select a point of interestlink to highlight, as described above. At step 420, one or more of thecommunication devices receiving the map, e.g., communication device110B, highlights another embedded point of interest link on the mapresponsive to user input. Highlighting is removed from the originallyhighlighted point of interest link at step 430 by the device 110B. Atstep 440, the communication device 110B then transmits the map with theother point of interest link highlighted to the communication devicethat originally transmitted the map, e.g., device 110A, and to the othercommunication device that originally received the map, device 110C.

In addition to selecting a point of interest embedded in a received map,a communication device receiving the map, e.g., device 110C, may query afavorite points of interest database stored within the device andretrieve favorite points of interest in the geographical arearepresented by the map at step 450. This step may be performed, e.g.,after step 410. At step 460, the communication device 110C may determinewhether any of the favorite points of interest are represented on themap. If not, a link graphically representing the favorite point ofinterest may be embedded in the map at step 470. From steps 470 and 460,the method may return to step 420, and the favorite point of internetlink may be highlighted in the map and sent to the devices 110A and 110Bin a manner similar to that described above.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a device 500, such as the map server 130,for providing a map of a geographical area based on a query from adevice, e.g., communication devices 110A, 110B, and 110C. The device 500includes a processor 510 that receives information, such as locationindicating information and requests for maps from communication devices110A, 110B, and 110C via I/O Data Ports 520. The I/O Data Ports 520 canbe implemented with, e.g., an interface including an antenna or othersuitable type of transceiver through which data and signals may betransmitted and received. It should be appreciated that the I/O DataPorts 520 can be used for communications with the communication devices110A, 110B, and 110C via the communication network 120.

The processor 510 communicates with the memory 530 via, e.g., anaddress/data bus. The processor 510 can be any commercially available orcustomer microprocessor. The memory is 530 is representative of theoverall hierarchy of memory devices containing the software and dataused to implement the functionality of the device 500. The memory 530can include but is not limited to the following types of devices:processor registers, processor cache, RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM,flash memory, SRAMD, DRAM other volatile memory forms, and non-volatile,semi-permanent or permanent memory types; for example, tape-based media,optical media, solid state media, hard disks, combinations thereof, andthe like.

As shown in FIG. 5, the memory 530 may include several categories ofsoftware and data used in the device 500, including, applications 540, adatabase 550, an operating system (OS) 560, and the input/output (I/O)device drivers 570. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art,the OS 560 may be any operating system for use with a data processingsystem. The I/O device drivers 570 may include various routines accessedthrough the OS 560 by the application modules 540 to communicate withdevices, and certain memory components. The application modules 540 canbe stored in the memory 530 and/or in a firmware (not shown) asexecutable instructions, and can be executed by the processor 510. Theapplication modules 540 include various programs that, when executed bythe processor 510, implement the various features of the device 500,including applications to apply to data stored in the database 550,along with data received vi the I/O ports 520. The application modulesmay generate a map of a geographical area represented by locationinformation provided by the communication devices 110A, 110B, and 110C.The map may include embedded interactive links graphically representingpoints of interest within the geographical area. Once map is retrievedfrom the device 500 by one of the communication devices 110A, 110B, and110C, the map may be exchanged and altered without querying the device500.

The database 550 represents the static and dynamic data used by theapplications 540, the OS 560, the I/O device drivers 570 and othersoftware programs that may reside in the memory. The database 550 mayinclude, for example, maps of various geographical areas which may beupdated as appropriate.

While the memory 530 is illustrated as residing proximate the processor510, it should be understood that at least a portion of the memory 530can be a remotely accessed storage system, for example, a server on acommunication network, a remote hard disk drive, a removable storagemedium, combinations thereof, and the like. Thus, any of the data,application modules, and/or software described above can be storedwithin the memory 530 and/or accessed via network connections to otherdata processing systems (not shown) that may include a local areanetwork (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), or a wide area network(WAN), for example.

It should be understood that FIG. 5 and the description above areintended to provide a brief, general description of a suitableenvironment in which the various aspects of some embodiments of thepresent disclosure can be implemented. As indicated above with referenceto FIG. 2, while this description refers to computer-readableinstructions, the present disclosure also can be implemented incombination with other program modules and/or as a combination ofhardware and software in addition to, or instead of, computer readableinstructions.

The law does not require and it is economically prohibitive toillustrate and teach every possible embodiment of the present claims.Hence, the above-described embodiments are merely exemplaryillustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding ofthe principles of the invention. Variations, modifications, andcombinations may be made to the above-described embodiments withoutdeparting from the scope of the claims. All such variations,modifications, and combinations are included herein by the scope of thisdisclosure and the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, for exchanging map information betweena first communication device and a second communication device,comprising: receiving, by the second communication device, from thefirst communication device, a map of a geographical area, wherein: themap comprises a plurality of embedded interactive links representinggraphically a corresponding plurality of points of interest within thegeographical area; and a first embedded interactive link, of theplurality of embedded interactive links, represents a first point ofinterest, of the plurality of points of interest, and is highlightedwithin the map; retrieving information representing a second point ofinterest within the geographical area represented on the map;determining whether the plurality of embedded interactive links includesembedded within the map a second interactive link corresponding to thesecond point of interest; embedding, responsive to determining thatthere is no second interactive link embedded within the map, a secondinteractive link into the map, yielding a second embedded interactivelink; highlighting, by the second communication device, within the map,the second embedded interactive link; and transmitting, by the secondcommunication device, to the first communication device, the map havinghighlighted therein the second embedded interactive link.
 2. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: removing, within the map, thehighlighting from the first embedded interactive link representing thefirst point of interest; wherein transmitting the map comprisestransmitting the map having highlighted therein the second embeddedinteractive link instead of the first embedded interactive link.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the map received further compriseshighlighted graphical information indicating a first route to the firstpoint of interest from a location.
 4. The method of claim 3, furthercomprising: generating graphical information indicating a second routefrom the location to the second point of interest; including, within themap, the graphical information indicating the second route; andhighlighting, within the map, the graphical information indicating thesecond route.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising removinghighlighting from the graphical information representing the firstroute.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein retrieving informationrepresenting the second point of interest within the geographical arearepresented on the map received comprises retrieving the second point ofinterest from a point-of-interest database of the second communicationdevice.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: generatinggraphical information indicating a route from a location to the secondpoint of interest; and including, within the map, the graphicalinformation indicating the route to the second point of interest fromthe location.
 8. A system, comprising: an interface; a processor; and acomputer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, whenexecuted by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations,for exchanging map information, comprising: receiving, from theinterface, a map of a geographical area, wherein: the map comprises aplurality of embedded interactive links representing graphically acorresponding plurality of points of interest within the geographicalarea; and a first embedded interactive link, of the plurality ofembedded interactive links, represents graphically a first point ofinterest, of the plurality of points of interest, and is highlightedwithin the map; retrieving information representing a second point ofinterest within the geographical area represented on the map;determining whether the plurality of embedded interactive links includesembedded within the map a second interactive link corresponding to thesecond point of interest; embedding, responsive to determining thatthere is no second interactive link embedded within the map, a secondinteractive link into the map, yielding a second embedded interactivelink; highlighting, within the map, the second embedded interactivelink; and transmitting, for receipt by a communication device, the maphaving highlighted therein the second embedded interactive link.
 9. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein: the operations further comprise removing,within the map, highlighting from the first embedded interactive linkrepresenting the first point of interest; and transmitting the mapcomprises transmitting the map having highlighted the second point ofinterest instead of the first point of interest.
 10. The system of claim8, wherein the map received further comprises highlighted graphicalinformation indicating a first route to the first point of interest froma location.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the operations furthercomprise: generating graphical information indicating a second route tothe other second point of interest from the location, within the map;and highlighting, within the map, the graphical information indicatingthe second route.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the operationsfurther comprise removing highlighting from the graphical informationrepresenting the first route.
 13. The system of claim 8, wherein theoperation of retrieving the information comprises retrieving theinformation from a point-of-interest database in communication with theprocessor.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the operations furthercomprise generating graphical information indicating a route to thesecond point of interest from a location and comprises the graphicalinformation indicating the route to the second point of interest fromthe location within the map.
 15. A computer-readable storage devicecomprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause theprocessor to perform operations, for exchanging map information,comprising: receiving a map of a geographical area, wherein: the mapcomprises embedded interactive links representing graphically points ofinterest within the geographical area; and a first embedded interactivelink, of the plurality of embedded interactive links, representsgraphically a first point of interest, of a corresponding plurality ofpoints of interest, and is highlighted within the map; retrievinginformation representing a second point of interest within thegeographical area represented on the map; determining whether theplurality of embedded interactive links includes embedded within the mapa second interactive link corresponding to the second point of interest;embedding, responsive to determining that there is no second interactivelink embedded within the map, a second interactive link into the map,yielding a second embedded interactive link; highlighting the secondembedded interactive link within the map; and transmitting, for receiptby a communication device, the map having highlighted therein the secondembedded interactive link.
 16. The computer-readable storage device ofclaim 15, wherein: the operations further comprise removing, within themap, highlighting from the first embedded interactive link; and theoperation of transmitting the map comprises transmitting the map havingthe second point of interest highlighted instead of the first point ofinterest.
 17. The computer-readable storage device of claim 15, whereinthe map received further comprises highlighted graphical informationindicating a route to the first point of interest from a location. 18.The computer-readable storage device of claim 17, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: generating graphical information indicating a secondroute to the second point of interest from the location; and including,within the map, the graphical information indicating the second route.19. The computer-readable storage device of claim 15, wherein theoperation of retrieving information representing the second point ofinterest comprises retrieving the information from a point-of interestdatabase in communication with the processor.
 20. The computer-readablestorage device of claim 19, wherein the operations further comprise:generating graphical information indicating a route to the second pointof interest from a location; and including within the map the graphicalinformation indicating the route to the second point of interest fromthe location.